Sam Ushio: Finding Your Ikigai

Framework with Ana Trujillo Limón

What is the true meaning of ikigai and how can it enhance your life?
In this episode, Jamie Hopkins, Managing Partner of Wealth Solutions, and Ana Trujillo Limón, Director, Coaching and Advisor Content, speak with Sam Ushio, Founder and Chief Ikigai Officer at Connect3x, about the Japanese concept of ikigai, or "reason for being", and its relevance to work and personal fulfillment. They discuss the common misconceptions about ikigai and how it can be applied in various contexts. Sam also covers the importance of personal growth alongside financial growth, the challenges faced by advisory firms, and the evolution of wellness benefits, before concluding with the challenges of training in a fast-growing company and the importance of open communication and trust.
Sam discusses:

• What ikigai means and its relevance to work and personal fulfillment
• Misconceptions surrounding ikigai and its true definition
• Bridging the gap between people's reason for being and their work
• The importance of personal growth alongside financial growth
• The shift to prioritizing personal growth over financial growth
• How leaders and executive teams can build stronger organizational cultures
• The evolution of wellness benefits and the recognition of mental health and overall well-being
• How he finds freedom through a mindset of intentionality
• And more

Resources:

• It’s The Manager by Jim Clifton and Jim Harter, From Gallup

Connect with Ana Trujillo Limón:

• Carson Group LLC
• LinkedIn: Ana Trujillo Limón

Connect with Sam Ushio:

• Connect3x
• Ikigai Lab
• LinkedIn: Sam Ushio

About our Guest:

Sam Ushio is the Chief Ikigai Officer at Connect3x, a tech-enabled people platform that integrates total well-being with workplace performance to support a culture of engaged, thriving employees. Sam fuses a powerful blend of Ikigai philosophy, strengths-based psychology, and change management to lead Connect3x’s mission to “capitalize the Human experience.” Previously, Sam was Director of Practice Management at Russell Investments, where he led a nationwide team that coached and consulted ~1,000 financial advisors annually. He has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Investor’s Business Daily, and InvestmentNews. Sam earned an MBA from Foster School of Business at the University of Washington and holds a Bachelor of Science from University of Nebraska in Marketing and Finance with an emphasis in psychology. He is also a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach. Sam is also the founder of Ikigai Lab, a Purpose Incubator that delivers insights, experiences and solutions rooted in the Japanese concept of Ikigai. On his quest to evolve the definition of “growth”, Sam blends the old school ancient wisdom tradition of ikigai with new school research in positive psychology. He is dedicated to purpose-driven solutions for stakeholder-focused organizations and visionary leaders, including total well-being, strengths-based culture, human-centered design, emotional intelligence, systems thinking, and life/career transitions.
This episode of Framework was pre-recorded. At the time of recording Jamie Hopkins was affiliated with CWM, LLC. Jamie Hopkins is not currently registered with or affiliated with CWM, LLC.